BATU PAHAT, June 7 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says Malaysia has the potential to secure access to a gas field zone described as one of the largest in the world through negotiations between the national petroleum company, Petronas, and Turkmenistan.
The opportunity is very important to the country and requires his personal involvement as Prime Minister in the signing of the planned agreement.
“There is a delegation going to Turkmenistan (in mid-June), I told Petronas, I said, ‘Do not, there is an election coming. The trip would require two days’.
“But if I go, the guarantee from Turkmenistan is, InsyaAllah (God willing), Petronas will obtain a gas field zone which is among the largest in the world,” he said during the launch of the Pakatan Harapan election machinery for the 16th Johor State Election last night.
Anwar added that although his schedule was packed with various commitments, including state elections, the country’s strategic interests in the energy sector required the government’s continued commitment to exploring new opportunities worldwide.
The effort is in line with the government’s aim to strengthen Malaysia’s position in the global energy industry while ensuring national energy supply security.
Commenting on the visit, he acknowledged that he was no longer a young man and did not enjoy long-distance travel as much as before, but described the task as a sacrifice that must be undertaken.
“But for the country, I have no choice. I will go (to Turkmenistan). And hopefully we can secure large gas reserves in the region,” Anwar said.
He also hoped that the commitment and sacrifice made amid a tight schedule would yield significant results for the country’s energy sector in the future.
Efforts and commitment were being specifically driven to support national development and the economy, including in Johor.
